Approach:
Sugarcane clones will be imported from Louisiana, quarantined and tested for
pathogens of leaf scald, ratoon stunt, yellow leaf and mosaic. Subsequently, the
disease-free clones will be released and incorporated into the breeding population for crossing. The plants will be grown under conditions to maximize flowering by manipulating light treatments using photoperiod and light delay treatments. Recommended crosses will be made using female tassels pollinated with male tassels by maintaining plants with male tassels on either photoperiod carts or on rail carts that are moved into heated structures at night to prevent emasculation by cold temperatures. After crosses are made, the pollinated tassels will be held for seed set and the mature seed will be harvested and sent to the ARS program in Houma, Louisiana.